<p>I'm looking at places like Princeton, Rice, Pepperdine, maybe Vanderbilt. Will top schools like these require that I have taken physics in high school? I've never heard that before, but someone was telling me today that she was looking at Stanford and they "required" physics in high school, so I'm not sure. Obviously it's a word-of-mouth type thing, but I just wanted to check. I have not seen any school say that specifically. I have taken honors Earth science, honors biology, honors chemistry, and I would like to take AP Bio next year... unless I need physics, I guess. Thank you!</p>
<p>Colleges really prefer physics in high school. I cant speak for your school, but people in my area treat physics as a must, even if they arent applying to top-tier schools. So, I would strongly urge you to take Physics, maybe a first year AP Physics B class because in college, if you want to pursue anything in the medical field, Physics is the dropout course used to “weed out” weaker kids.</p>
<p>Even if I don’t want to go into medicine or anything like that? If I was going to pursue a science, it would be biology and psychology, more from a zoological standpoint.</p>
<p>I think from an admissions standpoint, it is worth taking it. Plus, lots of schools have a core curriculum that might include physics. So check that out and talk to your counselor.</p>
<p>Taking all three of the main sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) in high school is thought to be looked at favorably by college admissions people.</p>
<p>Also, biology or zoology majors have to take some physics in college; high school level physics knowledge may be helpful in college physics courses, even the less rigorous ones for biology majors.</p>
<p>One option: take physics as an on-line course. Just let the schools know that it didn’t fit into your schedule. The beauty of an on-line course is that you can go at your own pace. The main drawback is that it requires self-discipine.</p>
<p>It’s helpful but not a deal-breaker. </p>
<p>Example from this year’s graduating class at my school. Two Asian boys, both applying for Eng. @ Columbia and Princeton respectively. One took IBH Math, Chem, Physics, Econ, the other took IBH Math, Chem, Music. The Music kid got into Pton EA, the other didn’t get into Col. ED. Arguably, the Col. applicant was much more gifted in maths and science. Took more technical courses, made no real difference.</p>
<p>So my advice, take physics if you want to and if you enjoy it. No point taking it if you don’t care for science (not saying you don’t) or if you don’t want to get into chem/phys related fields.</p>
<p>you could also try taking physics during the summer or even self study ap physics b or c (to your preference) and they will see that even if your did not offer the course that you looked further into your education. Hope you could make it to princeton!</p>
<p>It depends if you feel you can succeed at it. I was recently accepted at USC w/ Trustee nomination, and I’m in the second decile; I also never took any Math honors classes (except AP Stat this year) and never took AP Bio. So it’s not only the classes you take. But if you can do it, I would recommend it.</p>
<p>So what I’m taking from this is that as long as I’m well-rounded, putting in a lot of effort, and challenging myself, I can still stand a chance at a place like Princeton, even physics-less? I appreciate everybody’s help! And I know that physics would be preferable; it’s just that it’s not the kind of science I enjoy and am not sure if I can fit it in.</p>
<p>My schedule next year looks like (right now):
AP Government
AP Language
AP Biology
Honors Spanish 3
French 101 at local community college (it’s one of my interests, so for enjoyment)
Some sort of calculus 2 at local community college or online</p>
<p>Thank you again!</p>
<p>I guess maybe I could do it online over the summer if I really needed to. Hmm.</p>